Knicks deliver memorable 3-point performance in Game 4 victory: ‘Legacy you desire’

Knicks Shine in Dominant Victory Over 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — Just over a minute into the game, the Knicks missed their first attempt. Then, just minutes later, another shot slipped past. And on their next chance, Jalen Brunson missed a 3-pointer. Maybe it didn’t seem like much at the time.

But this was no ordinary Sunday for the Knicks. They secured a commanding 144-114 win against the 76ers, marking their return to the Eastern Conference Finals. What’s more impressive? They hit their next nine 3-pointers, culminating in a staggering total of 25 for the game. This achievement not only set a franchise postseason record but also tied the NBA’s all-time record, previously held by the Bucks and Cavaliers.

During the game, they managed to convert 11 threes in the first quarter alone and had 18 by halftime, tying another playoff record. With this win, they achieved their seventh consecutive postseason victory.

“It’s definitely special. Honestly, I wasn’t even aware of the record,” Miles McBride noted about their shooting feat. “Having something like that to your name, that’s what a legacy is about.”

Surprisingly, despite their success, they didn’t come into this game shooting lights out. They had shot 38.3 percent from beyond the arc in the playoffs, ranking fourth among the contenders. During the regular season, they had been solid from three, finishing with a 37.3 percent average, placing them fourth in the league. But lately, their shooting had been, well, underwhelming.

To give you an idea, in Game 2, they connected on just 9 of 27 attempts, and in Game 3, it was 7 out of 26. Yet, with a chance to leap ahead in the series, they transformed into a phenomenal shooting team, reminiscent of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s Warriors.

“Guys were passing up good shots for better ones, which created great energy. We just had to make those shots count,” said Josh Hart. “It’s really fun to play like that.”

McBride hit seven threes, while Brunson followed with six. Even while battling through a sprained left thumb, Hart managed to contribute four 3-pointers.

By the late second quarter, it was almost absurd: the Knicks had made 14 three-pointers compared to the 76ers’ 13 total field goals.

At one point, they held a 27-point lead.

Their shooting was impressive, with a shooting percentage that felt almost video-game-like. “Our spacing was spot on,” said coach Mike Brown. “When they focused two defenders on the ball, we stayed composed, moved the ball around, and found open shots.”